Pipits in the Poppies

Well, I never did get to play cricket and try out my re-modelled action today, as the weather this morning was terrible, and got worse as the afternoon wore on. Match called off at 11. So, I ended up watching Werewolf films while the rain blattered the window and made puddles for the collared doves to bathe in.

Eventually, the rain relented and I was able to get out running for a little while. I headed up to the poppy field to find the first of no doubt many photoshoots taking place there - a small child being encouraged to pose with a flower behind her ear by her parents.

Of rather more interest to me was the sight of meadow pipits engaging in their low hovering flight popping out of the poppies, before dropping back in like I'd seen them do in the ferns up on Ilkley Moor. I figure they were "mipits" because they weren't going up into high flight like a skylark, but I could be wrong.

Please let there be better weather tomorrow.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 11.06.16

A Newark Poppy Compendium

The day is so grey today, and it is probably as rotten for you as it is for me.

Therefore, let me bring a bit of colour by remembering our poppy storm, now sadly over; the fields have returned to their normal grey green state. But this beautiful scarlet ocean will not be easily forgotten by anyone who was fortunate enough to see it.

Here is every photograph I took of them.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 24.07.15 

The Newark Poppies have now Transcended Beauty

I ran to the poppies again today, where a very moving little vignette was taking place.

An elderly couple, certainly well into their 80s if not 90s, had been driven out to the field by their care home, where two staff spent some time taking some photographs of them standing together against the background of incredible blooms. It may well be the last time they get to do something like this, these displays certainly don't take place every year, so full marks to their carers for doing this for them.

A young family were also having a joyous look round, while in the corner a very professional looking photographer had set up his camera and tripod.

Such a simple thing,  and it has brought so much happiness and pride to this town it is unreal.

Without further ado...

Si

All images and text copyright CreamCrackeredNature 23.06.15

The Glorious Poppies of Newark

The poppies I've photographed below have had a lot of attention in town lately, making the cover of the local newspaper and also being featured on endless twitter feeds and local instagram accounts.

With good reason too, they are stunning.

Last year was a bit of a poor year for poppies, this field was empty, and the half poppy half oilseed half buttercup field that looked like a Zimbabwean flag at a distance - off Clay Lane - was also very subdued. I don't know how that field is looking this year yet, but these Hawton Lane poppies have suddenly exploded into fiery glory in the last few week, compared even to the attractive sight they made a few weeks ago when I last photographed them.

It's a pity the butterflies are struggling to match them. The only ones I'm seeing at all the last few days are speckled woods here and there; orange tips have had a disastrous year with the cool spring and second flight small tortoiseshells and peacocks have yet to emerge. Hopefully the expected blizzard of painted ladies will even things up.

My tree bumblebee nests are incredibly busy. Today, managed to get a photograph of the little ginger buzzers!

Enjoy!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 18.06.15

Polish cornflowers getting the customers again

Tree bumble factory clocking in

4 woodpigeon eggs broken in my garden this morning

Bumbles love this garden plant

Abandoned blackbird egg

Look at the colour of this field

Beauty from a lower angle